WARNING: SPOILERS FOR ONE PIECE CHAPTER #1198The Elbaph arc continues to deliver in exciting and satisfying ways with new transformations for One Piece's strongest characters, but Luffy's new form is already looking more chaotic than Gear 5. Almost five years ago, the seemingly unstoppable Pirate Emperor Kaido defeated Luffy several times, but the Straw Hat captain refused to stay down, eventually awakening his Devil Fruit unlocking Gear 5 for the first time. It allowed the young Pirate to transform himself and his battlefield with the freedom of his imagination, but One Piece chapter #1198 has shown that was only the tip of the iceberg.
For most of One Piece's long-running series, it was believed that Luffy used a Paramecia Devil Fruit known as the Gum-Gum Fruit, but that was a clever misdirection. The World Government renamed it to prevent the world from knowing its true name: the Mythical Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika. There are still many mysteries surrounding the origins of the Devil Fruits, but Luffy's is somehow tied to the legendary Sun God Nika. A figure who was prophesied to bring drastic liberation or destruction to the world. Likely a tease for what Luffy's newest form is gearing up to do.
The Straw Hats’ Monster Trio has regained their standing as the crew's strongest fighters, but just as Zoro and Sanji have drastically increased their power by learning how to control Conqueror's Haki, their captain has become something far scarier. Elbaph’s main battle last saw Gear 5 Luffy and Loki teaming up to deliver a considerable blow against the secret King of the World. That attack seemed to only upset him further, prompting Imu to transform yet again into a form reminiscent of a video game's huge otherworldly final boss, but he wasn't the only one to change.
The final battle of One Piece's Elbaph arc is approaching, and the story has perfectly setup what could be the most satisfying team up of the decade.
While Imu's mind-blowing new form towers over Elbaph's battlefield, prominent characters like Loki and Jinbe voiced confusion about Luffy's sudden transformation and questionable retreat. Author Eiichiro Oda chose not to show the moment that Imu or Luffy changed, but the aura they both exude in the chapter is undeniable. Even though Zoro and Sanji had successfully prevented the God Knights from securing an escape for the kidnapped Giant children, Luffy's mysterious new form decided to rush Saint Killingham's Rain God construct and make short work of her by ringing her out like a wet towel.
After the truth of Luffy's Devil Fruit was unveiled, it opened up a new realm of possibilities for the young Pirate Emperor. Since his fight with Kaido, the Straw Hat captain has used Gear 5 in many creative ways that have helped him defeat Marine Admiral Kizaru and even fight off the monstrous and mostly immortal Five Elders. But after receiving an extremely brutal beating from Imu, Luffy pushed himself further than ever. But as One Piece has demonstrated in the past, there are consequences for pushing Zoan-related abilities too far.
During the Impel Down arc, there were several jailers who resembled hulking animal humanoids. They were the brainless result of Zoan Devil Fruit users losing themselves to the animalistic nature of their fruits, permanently stripping their personalities and control of their bodies. Unfortunately, it seems like the same is happening to Luffy.
Because Luffy left the fight against Imu, where he was needed most, the Straw Hat captain does not seem to be 100 percent in control of his faculties. While it is likely that Luffy’s body hasn’t permanently lost control to his Nika powers, his latest Gear 5 beastly form will be a big problem in One Piece’s final arcs for Imu’s forces. And from what author Eiichiro Oda has established with other Zoan users who lost control, there is a chance he could be a major problem for Elbaph and the other Straw Hats.
